Not all gold bars busted at Sepaimen were fake – Tanko Computer alleges

Dr. Rashid Tanko Computer is the CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC). He recently spoke about gold bars seized during a National Security operation in Sapeiman. Contrary to earlier reports, not all the gold bars were fake.

On April 15, 2025, Dr. Tanko Computer appeared on Channel TV’s Breakfast Daily. He suggested that claiming all the gold was counterfeit was misleading. This narrative may hide deeper issues related to financial crimes and economic sabotage.

On February 9, 2025, National Security operatives seized counterfeit currency and gold bars in Sapeiman. The bars were hidden in twelve 20-foot containers. This discovery raised public concern over criminal activities and regulatory failures.

Dr. Tanko Computer clarified that some gold bars were genuine. He stated that the operation was part of a larger money laundering scheme. “Those doing money laundering camouflage their actions with fake items,” he explained.

He added that these criminals mislead Ghanaians while harming the economy. “Some of what we found was fake, but not all,” he said. He emphasized that they have been operating for eight years undetected.

Dr. Tanko Computer also discussed issues with gold trading licenses. He noted that all licenses had been revoked and would be reissued by a new body called “GoldBod.” “You cannot trade in gold without a license,” he stated.

He mentioned that many illegal licenses had been issued previously. Regarding illegal mining (galamsey), he supported deporting foreign offenders but favored rehabilitation for Ghanaians involved in it. “We will just bus them away,” he said about foreigners.

“For our people here, we will try to reform them,” he concluded, emphasizing their shared nationality as Ghanaians.